Photodynamic inactivation of viruses in cell-containing compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular lipid enveloped pathogenic virus or intracellular pathogenic virus in a composition containing &gt;1×10 9  cells/ml and said virus without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of such cells, the inactivation process comprising contacting the composition with a virucidally effective amount of at least one photoreactive compound having an absorption maximum of ≧630 nm, light and an oxidizer, thereby substantially to inactivate the virus with retention of cell functionality, greater than 80%. The present invention also concerns the product produced by inactivating virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation thereof, the inactivation process comprising contacting said composition with a virucidally effective amount of at least one photoreactive compound, light, and a quencher thereby to inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said substance.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with United States government support underGrant 1-RO1-HL41221 from the NHLBI. The United States Government hascertain rights in this invention.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No.524,208, filed May 15, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,649.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a method to inactivate viruses inbiological compositions, for example, in whole blood or red blood cellconcentrates, without incurring substantial disruption or inactivationof cells, for example, without adversely affecting red blood cellstructure or function, by using a photoactive compound, for example, aphthalocyanine, together with light exposure and variations thereon.

2. Description of Related Art

Nature of the Concept

Substantial progress has been made in reducing the viral infectivity ofwhole blood and its components through improved donor selection anddonor blood screening procedures. Despite this progress, there is acontinued risk of transmission of viruses including hepatitis virusesand human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) by whole blood and bloodproducts.

The risk of transmission of certain viruses (e.g., hapatitis B virus(HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)) hasbeen considerably reduced and possibly eliminated in coagulation factorconcentrates through the application of virucidal procedures during thecourse of manufacture (Prince, A. M., Horowitz, B., Horowitz, M. S.,Zang, E., "The Development of Virus-Free Labile Blood Derivatives--AReview", Eur. J. Epidemiol., 1987; 3:103-118 and Mannucci, P. M.,Colombo, M., "Virucidal Treatment of Clotting Factor Concentrates", TheLancet, 1988;782-785). However, when treating coagulation factorconcentrates, some viruses (e.g., parvovirus) may remain infectious. Inaddition, the development of virucidal processes applicable to cellcomponents, i.e., blood cell fractions such as red blood cells orplatelets, has been slow, both because cells are more fragile thanproteins, and cells serve to harbor and protect virus againstinactivation. Nonetheless, if virus transmission by whole blood or bloodcomponents is to be eliminated, effective virus removal or potentvirucidal methods applicable to blood cells will be required. Since bothred blood cells or platelets are non-replicating, approaches directedtoward nucleic acid modification might offer the required specificity.

It is important to recognize in assessing virucidal procedures forcell-containing solutions that virus will be present in multiple forms:virus free of the cell; formed virus associated with the cell;functional, but unpackaged viral nucleic acid within the cell; and viralnucleic acid integrated into the cell genome. Each form should beconsidered infectious and capable of causing viral disease in vivo.Virucidal methods which inactivate virus in one form, e.g., cell-freevirus, may not inactivate virus in other forms, e.g., cell-associatedforms. Additionally, the presence of cells is known to inhibit theaction of both physical and chemical approaches to virus inactivation.Cells compete for added virucidal reagents and absorb radiation whichotherwise would be virucidal. Thus, for example, while ultravioletirradiation is highly virucidal in salt solutions or in dilute proteinsolution, the degree of virucidal activity is incomplete when treatingcell-containing solutions. Furthermore, in this context, it is notsufficient to inactivate virus alone; rather, it is necessary to do sowith sufficient vigor that viral infectivity is eliminated withoutdeleterious effects to the valuable cell components, e.g., red bloodcells.

Most virucidal procedures which have been developed, e.g.,pasteurization or solvent/detergent treatment, cannot be applied toblood cell preparations without damaging the cells and rendering themunfit for transfusion.

Heretofore, it has not been possible to prepare virus sterilized formsof whole blood or red cell concentrates or platelet concentrates whereat least 10⁴ infectious units (ID₅₀) and preferably ≧10⁶ ID₅₀ of bothboth intracellular and extracellular virus were inactivated withoutadversely affecting the cells and/or without using highly toxic agents.

Phthalocyanines

While there has been growing interest in the use of phthalocyanines forthe treatment of cancerous cells (Rosenthal, I. and Ben Hur, E.,"Phthalocyanines in Photobiology", Lezhoff C. C. and Lever A. B. P.eds., Phthalocyanines, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, New York, 1989,393-425), phthalocyanines are generally thought of as being hemolytic,making applicants' results herein all the more surprising. For example,Ben-Hur and Rosenthal ("Photohemolysis of Human Erthrocytes Induced byAluminum Phthalocyanine Tetrasulfonate", Cancer Lett., 30: 321-327,1986) studied the photohemolysis of human red blood cells induced byaluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate. Substantial (20-100%) hemolysiswas induced by treatment with 2.5 to 10 μM AlPcS₄ at all light fluences≧40 KJ/m² (≧4 J/cm²). Ben-Hur and Rosenthal did not address the problemof virus kill. Similarly, Sonoda, Krishna and Riesz ("The Role ofSinglet Oxygen in the Photohemolysis of Red Blood Cells Sensitized byPhthalocyanine", Photochem. Photobiol., 46: 625-631, 1987) studied thephotohemolysis induced by each of several phthalocyanine derivatives.Aluminum and zinc phthalocyanines were each hemolytic, while free (nometal) phthalocyanine or those with iron, copper or cobalt as thecentral metal cation were not. Virus kill was not studied.

Singer et al (C. R. J. Singer, T. Azim and Q. Sattentau, "PreliminaryEvaluation of Phthalocyanine Photosensitization For Inactivation OfViral Pathogens in Blood Products", [abstract] British J. HematologyMar.23-25, 1988: Abs. 31), in what is believed to be the only study on viruskill performed with phthalocyanines, demonstrated that an unstatedquantity of both Epstein Barr virus and of HIV added to plasma wasinactivated on treatment with 5 and 25 μg/mL of sulfonated aluminumphthalocyanine and 2mW/cm² for 30 minutes (3.6 J/cm²). Factor VIIIrecovery was only 50%. Singer et al reported no actual work on cells orcell-associated virus, though they state that application to red cellsis being evaluated. Given the relatively poor recovery (50%) of factorVIII reported by Singer, the greater fragility of cells than proteins,and the previous experience on the photohemolysis of red cells totreatment with phthalocyanine, the results herein are all the moresurprising.

Other Lipophilic Dyes in the Treatment of Whole Blood or Red Blood CellConcentrates

Cole et al (Cole, M., Stromberg, R., Friedman, L., Benade, L., Shumaker,J., "Photochemical Inactivation of Virus in Red Cells", Transfusion, 29,Supp:42s Abs., 1989) explored the use of merocyanine 540 in thetreatment of packed red blood cells diluted to a hematocrit of 15%. Whenplasma was removed such that its concentration was 2.6%, a 6 logreduction of vesicular stomatitis virus was achieved. However, only a 1log reduction in VSV was achieved in samples containing 15% plasma. Theauthors concluded that "although plasma is required to protect the redblood cells from damage, viral kill is also significantly reduced". Thisconclusion is supported by the observation that the presence of 5%albumin inhibited virus kill in suspension of washed platelets (Prodouz,K. N., "Effect of Merocyanine 540 on Platelet Function and Reduction ofits Antiviral Activity by Albumin", Transfusion, 29, Supp:42s Abs.,1989), and that though 6 logs of model viruses in buffer could beinactivated by merocyanine 540, only 1-3 logs of virus could beinactivated in the presence of 12-25% plasma (Moroff, G., Benade, L. E.,Dabay, M., George, V. M., Shumaker, J. and Dodd, R. Y., "Use ofPhotochemical Procedures to Inactivate Viruses in Platelet Suspensions",Transfusion, 29, Supp:S15 Abs., 1989). Furthermore, the authors statedthat the procedure "adversely affected platelet properties".

Matthews, J. T., Newman, J. T., Sogandares-Bernal, F., et al,"Photodynamic Therapy of Viral Contaminants with Potential For BloodBanking Applications", Transfusion, 1988;28:81-83 studied treatment ofwhole blood with hematoporphyrin derivatives and light. They reportedthe inactivation of 3×10⁵ PFU of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ontreatment of culture medium with 2.5 μg/mL dihematoporphyrin ether (DHE)and light, but only the inactivation of 10³ PFU on treatment of bloodunder the same condition. Increasing the concentration of DHE to 20μg/ml did not improve virus kill. While red blood cell structure andfunction was well maintained at 2.5 μg/mL DHE and light at 5 J/cm²,cell-free HIV (2×10³ ID₅₀) added to buffer alone was not completelykilled under this condition.

Other Photoactive Compounds

Lin et al (Lin, L., Wiesehahn, G. P., Morel, P. A. and Corash, L., "Useof 8-Methoxypsoralen and Long-wavelength Ultraviolet Radiation forDecontamination of Platelet Concentrates", Blood, 74:517-525, 1989)demonstrated that psoralen and exposure to UV-A inactivated ≧10⁵.5 ID offeline leukemia virus added to a platelet concentrate; however, studiesin whole blood or red cell concentrates were not performed. Plateletmorphology, aggregation, and the release reaction were well maintainedimmediately following treatment, and showed comparable values whencompared to untreated controls on storage for up to 96 hours. Incontrast, Moroff et al (Moroff G., Benade, L.., Dabay, M., George, V.M., Shumaker, J. and Dodd, R. Y., "Use of Photochemical Procedures toInactivate Viruses in Platelet Suspensions", Transfusion, 29, Supp, S15Abs., 1989) explored the use of psoralen for the treatment of plateletsand concluded that the presence of as little as 12% plasma inhibitedvirus kill and that platelet properties were adversely affected. Itshould be pointed out that, as typically prepared, red blood cells andplatelet concentrates for transfusion are suspended in 100% plasma.

Other Agents

In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/279,179, filed Dec. 2, 1988, andin a recent published abstract (Williams et al, Blood, 1988,72:Suppl.:287a), vesicular stomatitis virus added to whole blood wasreported to be inactivated on incubation with a hydrolyzable, aryl diolepoxide without causing red cell lysis.

Ozone has been asserted to decontaminate whole blood containing 10⁹pFU/mL of hepatitis virus (Zee, Y. C. and Bolton, D. C., "OzoneDecontamination of Blood and Blood Products", U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,980).However, no data were provided in support of this allegation. Prodouz,K. N., Fratantoni, J. C., Boone, J. E. and Bonner R. F., "Use ofLaser-UV for Inactivation of Virus in Blood Products", Blood, 1987;70:589-592 reported that laser-UV treatment of a platelet concentratelargely maintained platelet function under conditions where up to 10⁶(ID₅₀) of polio virus was inactivated. However, virus inactivation wasstudied in buffered medium alone and not in the presence of platelets,and only a cell-free form of the virus was employed.

Hartman et al (Hartman, F. W., Mangun, G. H., Feeley, N., Jackson, E.,"On the Chemical Sterilization of Blood and Blood Products", Proc. Soc.Exp. Biol. Med., 70:248-254, 1949) showed that treatment of whole bloodwith the nitrogen mustard, methyl-bis(beta-chloroethyl) aminehydrochloride resulted in the inactivation of 10⁶.6 ID₅₀ of vesicularstomatitis virus under conditions where red cell hemolysis was notgreater than the control. It should be pointed out that nitrogenmustards are carcinogens.

LoGrippo (LoGrippo, G. A., "Investigations of the Use ofBeta-Propiolactone in Virus Inactivation", Ann. NY Aca. Sci., 83,578-594, (1959)) treated red cells separately from plasma withbeta-propiolactone. Treatment resulted in the inactivation of more than10⁸ ID⁵⁰ of Eastern equine encephalitis virus without causing red cellhemolysis. Subsequent injection of the treated red cells in man resultedin a shortened circulatory half-life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to inactivate viruses incell-containing compositions without incurring substantial disruption orinactivation of cells.

It is another object of the present invention to inactivate viruses inwhole blood, red blood cell concentrates and platelet concentrates,without adversely affecting red cell or platelet structure or function.

It is another object of the present invention to inactivate viruses inbiological compositions without incurring substantial inactivation ofdesired, soluble biological substances (e.g., coagulation factorconcentrates, hemoglobin solutions).

It is a further object of this invention to improve virus safety inblood banks of both whole blood, red blood cell concentrates andplatelet concentrates, and any products derived from whole blood, redblood cell concentrates or platelet concentrates.

It is still a further object of the invention to reduce exposure tohospital care workers and other health care workers to viruses to whichthey otherwise would be exposed.

It is still a further object of the invention to reduce the circulatingviral burden in animals and man.

It is still a further object of the invention to improve the storageproperties of cell-containing compositions, e.g., red cell concentrate,prior to use.

The above objects, as well as other objects, aims and advantages aresatisfied by the present invention.

The present invention concerns a method of inactivating excellular lipidenveloped human pathogenic viruses or intracellular human pathogenicviruses in a cell-containing composition without incurring substantialdisruption or inactivation of cells, comprising contacting acell-containing composition having ≧1×10⁹ cells/ml and containinginfectious virus with a virucidally effective amount of at least onephotoreactive compound having an absorption maximum of ≧630 nm, lightand an oxidizer to substantially inactivate the virus and to result in aretention of intact cell functionality and structure of greater than80%.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, extracellular andintracellular virus in a biological composition is inactivated withoutincurring substantial disruption or inactivation of the composition, bya process comprising contacting said composition with a virucidallyeffective amount of at least one photoreactive compound, light, and aquencher thereby to inactivate said virus while retaining functionalityof said substance.

More particularly, the present invention concerns a method forinactivating extracellular as well as intracellular viruses in wholeblood, red blood cell concentrates, platelet concentrates or productsderived from whole blood or red blood cell concentrates or plateletconcentrates comprising contacting said whole blood, red blood cellconcentrates or products derived from whole blood or red blood cellconcentrates with an effective virucidal amount of a photoreactivecompound having an absorption maximum greater than 630 nm, for example,a purpurin or a phthalocyanine, and exposing the resultant compositionto light in the presence of an oxidizer, together with the optionalpresence of a quencher, for example, glutathione.

The present invention also concerns a composition comprising human redblood cells suitable for transfusion at concentration of ≧1 to 10⁹cells/ml and having all extracellular lipid enveloped and intracellularhuman pathogenic viruses in a non-infectious form, the red cellspreferably having a normal recovery on infusion of 70% or greater,preferably 85% or greater and having a satisfactory circulatorysurvival, e.g., for red blood cells of ≧20 days and preferably for 30days.

The aforesaid compositions preferably have a greater resistance toosmotic shock than normal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 comprises four graphs depicting the inactivation of cell-freevesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with aluminum phthalocyanine chloride(AlPc). FIG. 1a depicts the results using whole blood. FIG. 1b depictsthe results using a red blood cell concentrate. FIG. 1c depicts theresults using whole blood diluted 5-fold with PBS. FIG. 1c depicts theresults using a red blood cell concentrate diluted 2-fold with PBS.

FIG. 2 comprises four graphs depicting the inactivation of cell-free VSVwith sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine. FIG. 2a depicts the resultsusing AlPcS₂ with whole blood. FIG. 2b depicts the results using AlPcS₄with a red blood cell concentrate. FIG. 2c depicts the results usingAlPcS₄ with whole blood. FIG. 2d depicts the results using AlPcS₄ with ared blood cell concentrate.

FIG. 3 is a graph depicting erythrocyte osmotic fragility prior to andfollowing treatment with AlPc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Blood is made up of solids (cells, i.e., erythrocytes, leucocytes, andplatelets) and liquid (plasma). The cells are transfused in thetreatment of anemia, clotting disorders, infections, etc. In addition,the cells contain potentially valuable substances such as hemoglobin,and they can be induced to make other potentially valuable substancessuch as interferon, growth factors, and other biological responsemodifiers. The plasma is composed mainly of water, salts, lipids andproteins. The proteins are divided into groups called fibrinogens, serumglobulins and serum albumins. Typical antibodies (immune globulins)found in human blood plasma include those directed against infectioushepatitis, influenza H, etc.

Blood transfusions are used to treat anemia resulting from disease orhemorrhage, shock resulting from loss of plasma proteins or loss ofcirculating volume, diseases where an adequate level of plasma proteinis not maintained, for example, hemophilia, and to bestow passiveimmunization.

With certain diseases one or several of the components of blood may belacking. Thus the administration of the proper fraction will suffice,and the other components will not be "wasted" on the patient; the otherfractions can be used for another patient. The separation of blood intocomponents and their subsequent fractionation allows the cells and/orproteins to be concentrated, thus enhancing their therapeutic use.

Cell types found in human blood include red blood cells, platelets andseveral types of leukocytes. Methods for the preparation of cellconcentrates useful in transfusion can be found in Kirk Othmer'sEncyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, IntersciencePublishers, Volume 4, pp. 25-37, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

Proteins found in the blood cell fraction include hemoglobin,fibronectin, fibrinogen, platelet derived growth factor, superoxidedismutase, enzymes of carbohydrate and protein metabolism, etc. Inaddition, the synthesis of other proteins can be induced, such asinterferons and growth factors.

A comprehensive list of inducible leukocyte proteins can be found inStanley Cohen, Edgar Pick, J. J. Oppenheim, "Biology of theLymphokines", Academic Press, New York, (1979).

The present invention is directed to contacting at least onephotoreactive compound with a cell-containing composition such as wholeblood, red blood cell concentrates, platelet concentrates, plateletextracts, leukocyte concentrates, semen, ascites fluid, milk, lymphaticfluid, hybridoma cell lines and products derived from any of the above.

The present invention can be employed to treat the product of acomposition containing a non-blood normal or cancerous cells or theproduct of gene splicing.

When quenchers are not added, suitable photosensitizer compounds for usein the present invention include phthalocyanines, purpurins and othermolecules which resemble the porphyrins in structure, although some ofthe atoms in the basic porphyrin-like frame (as well as theirarrangement) may vary. For example, phthalocyanines are porphyrin-like(azaporphyrins), except that the tetrapyrrole ring linked by methinecarbon atoms in porphyrins is replaced by four isoindole units linked byaza nitrogen atoms. These phthalocyanine, porphyrin, and purpurinmolecules may or may not contain metallo or metalloid central atoms, andvarious substitutents may be placed on the basic molecular framework to(a) red-shift the longest wavelength absorption maxima beyond 630 nm,(b) increase the molar extinction coefficient to enhance theabsorptivity of the exciting red light, and (c) modulate thesolubilities of the photosensitizer molecules in aqueous environments,as well as their lipophilicities, or DNA-binding abilities.

Photoreactive compounds for use in the present invention which containmetals, for example, germanium or gallium, are diamagnetic, rather thanparamagnetic.

Photosensitizers, including substituted photosensitizers, which can beutilized in the present invention will result in compounds having thefollowing characteristics:

(a) a molar extinction coefficient of ≧50,000 Molar⁻¹ cm^(-1;)

(b) an absorption maximum of ≧630 nm, preferably 660 to 730;

(c) a solubility of ≧1 μM in both water and apolar solvents;

(d) having amphiphilic characteristics;

(e) soluble in aqueous saline buffer solutions at the concentrations ofuse in a time frame of approximately 2 hours.

Preferred photoreactive compounds for use in the present invention arephthalocyanines (Pc's or PC's ). Phthalocyanines are porphyrin-likecompounds which are chemically stable, well defined, and easilysynthesized (Spikes, J., "Phthalocyanines as Photosensitizers inBiological Systems and for the Photodynamic Therapy of Tumors",Photochemistry and Photobiology, 1986;43:691-699 and Ben-Hur, E. andRosenthal, I., "The Phthalocyanines: A New Class of Mammalian CellsPhotosensitizers with a Potential for Cancer Phototherapy", Int. J.Radiat. Biol., 1989;47:145-147). There is encouraging evidence in theliterature indicating the lack of toxicity of phthalocyanine dyes tomammals (Moser, F. H. and Thomas, A. C., The Phthalocyanines, BocaRaton:CRC Press, 1984). The phthalocyanines have very strong electronicabsorption bands at wavelengths above 630 nm. Hemoglobin has arelatively low absorbance in this spectral region.

Non-limiting examples of phthalocyanines for use in the presentinvention include the following:

zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanine,

tetrasulfophthalocyanine,

aluminum tetranitrophthalocyanine,

zinc-tetranitrophthalocycyanine,

tetracarboxyphthalocyanine,

GaCl-tetrasulfophthalocyanine,

AlCl-tetrasulfophthalocyanine,

Ga-tetrasulfophthalocyanine and

GaCl-, AlCl- or Ga-tetranitrophthalocyanine.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, aluminum phthalocyanines areemployed. Preferred aluminum phthalocyanines include aluminumphthalocyanine chloride (AlPc) and sulfonated forms of aluminumphthalocyanine, e.g., AlPcS₂ and AlPcS₄. Zinc can replace aluminum asthe central atom, and the ring can be nitrated instead of sulfonated.

When quenchers are added, suitable photosensitizer compounds for use inthe present invention include phthalocyanines, purpurins, and othermolecules which resemble the porphyrins in structure (as describedabove) as well as photoactive compounds excited by ultraviolet light(e.g., psoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen, 4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen, bergapten, and angelicin), and dyes which absorb light in thevisible spectrum (e.g., hypericin methylene blue, eosin fluoresceins andflavins).

Suitable quenchers are any substances known to react with free radicalsor reactive forms of oxygen, more specifically which decrease theefficiencies of photodynamically catalyzed chemical reactions (e.g. DNAstrand breads), or decrease the cytoxicity in photodynamic cell killingexperiments. In accordance with the present invention, however,surprisingly quenching is effected without substantial decrease invirucidal action.

Representative quenchers include unsaturated fatty acids, reducedsugars, cholesterol, indole derivatives, and the like, azides, such assodium azide, tryptophan, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol andmannitol, thiols such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, quercetin,DABCO, and the like. The use of mixtures of quenchers is alsocontemplated.

The quencher is used in conventional quenching amounts but surprisingly,when used, the overall process results in preferential damage to thevirus but not the desired biological material.

Non-limiting examples of lipid coated, human pathogenic viruses that canbe inactivated by the present invention include vesicular stomatitisvirus (VSV), Moloney sarcoma virus, Sindbis virus, humanimmunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1; HIV-2), human T-cell lymphotorophicvirus-I (HTLV-I), hepatitis B virus, non-A, non-B hepatitis virus (NANB)(hepatitis C), cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr viruses, lactatedehydrogenase elevating virus, herpes group viruses, rhabdoviruses,leukoviruses, myxoviruses, alphaviruses, Arboviruses (group B),paramyxoviruses, arenaviruses and coronaviruses. Non-limiting examplesof non-enveloped viruses that can be inactivated by the presentinvention include parvirus, polio virus, hepatitis A virus and entericnon-A, non-B hepatitis virus.

The process of the present invention is preferably conducted at 0° to45° C., and most preferably at 4° to 37° C. for up to 48 hours andpreferably for 2 to 24 hours.

The process of the invention is preferably conducted in a neutral pHrange of 6.3 to 7.7. A typical light fluence range for the invention is5 to 500 J/cm², preferably 100 to 500 J/cm² with phthalocyanine and 5 to100 J/cm² with psoralen. The brighter the light, the less time isrequired. With flowing systems, very bright light for short times wouldbe employed. For blood bags, longer times and less bright light can beused.

Preferably the concentration of the photoreactive compound in theabsence of quenchers is 1 to 100 μM; for red cell concentrates, theconcentration of the photoreactive compound is most preferably 10 to 25μM. When quenchers are used, the concentrations of photoactive compoundsare those typically employed, e.g. 25 μg/ml for AMT.

The process of the present invention is carried out in the presence ofan oxidizer. Oxygen is a non-limiting example of an oxidizer for use inthe present invention. The concentration of oxygen can be the endogenousquantity, or can be modified by placement of the material being treatedin an atmosphere designed to lower or raise oxygen concentration.

Cell-containing compositions to be treated according to the inventionhave ≧1×10⁹ cells/ml, preferably ≧5×10⁹ cells/ml and most preferably≧1×10¹⁰ cells/ml. Furthermore, cell-containing compositions to betreated according to the invention have preferably >4 mg/ml protein andmore preferably >25 mg/ml protein and most preferably 50 to 60 mg/mlprotein (unwashed cells).

Non-cell containing compositions to be treated according to theinvention have ≧0.1 mg/ml and preferably ≧5 mg/ml protein.

In the inventive process, at least 10⁴, preferably 10⁶, infectious unitsof virus are inactivated.

The inventive process results in improved storage stability, i.e.,treated cells that can be stored in liquid or frozen form and for whichreduced cell destruction is obtained.

The cell-containing composition according to the initially containing≧1000 infectious units of virus/L, after the virus has been inactivatedand treatment according to the invention has been conducted, has aretention of intact cell functionality and structure of greater than80%, preferably greater than 90% and most preferably greater than 98%.

By the inactivation procedure of the invention, most if not virtuallyall of the viruses contained therein would be inactivated. A method fordetermining infectivity levels by inoculation into chimpanzees (in vivo)is discussed by Prince, A. M., Stephen, W., Bortman, B. and van denEnde, M. C., "Evaluation of the Effect of Beta-propiolactone/UltravioletIrradiation (BPL/UV) Treatment of Source Plasma on HepatitisTransmission by Factor IX Complex in Chimpanzees", Thrombosis andHemostasis, 44: 138-142, (1980).

According to the invention, inactivation of virus is obtained to theextent of at least "4 logs", preferably ≧6 logs, i.e., virus in thesample is totally inactivated to the extent determined by infectivitystudies where that virus is present in the untreated sample in such aconcentration that even after dilution to 10⁴ (or 10⁶), viral activitycan be measured.

The present invention describes inactivating viruses, whilesimultaneously retaining labile blood cell functional and structuralfeatures.

Functional activities of red cells are ascertained by measurements ofmetabolite levels, enzymatic activities, electrolyte levels and oxygencarrying capacity. Structural integrity of red cells is assessed bymeasurements of hemoglobin release, osmotic fragility, survival in vivofollowing radiolabeling with chromium-51, antigenicity and by evaluationof modification of cell surface proteins.

Functional activities of platelets are determined by their ability toaggregate in the presence of certain biological agents and theirmorphology. Structural integrity of platelets is assessed by in vivosurvival following radiolabeling with indium-111 and identification ofthe presence of specific platelet antigens.

The method of the present invention can be used in conjunction withother viral inactivating agents, e.g., beta-propiolactone or UV or otherforms of radiation, e.g., gamma rays.

The present invention demonstrates the following:

(1) photoreactive compounds such as phthalocyanines together with lightexposure can inactivate viruses in whole blood or red cell concentrates,without adversely affecting red cell structure or function,

(2) a lipophilic dye with an absorption maximum of ≧630 nm caninactivate large quantities (e.g., ≧10⁵.5 ID₅₀) of of virus in wholeblood or a red cell concentrate under conditions which maintain red cellstructure and function,

(3) both extracellular and intracellular virus present in whole blood, ared cell concentrate or a platelet concentrate can be inactivatedwithout adversely affecting cell structure or function, and

(4) a lipophilic dye on exposure to light can stabilize red blood cellsto osmotic injury.

(5) the inclusion of a quencher of a photochemically catalyzed reactionduring or following said reaction reduces cell or protein damage whichmay occur without substantially reducing virus kill.

The principal advantage of the phthalocyanines over other lipophilicdyes such as hematoporphyrin derivative is the extremely strong opticalabsorption of phthalocyanines at 630-700 nm. Light at this wavelengthhas improved tissue penetrating properties, as compared with the shorterwavelength of light absorbed by the usual porphyrin and hematoporphyrinsensitizers. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum of phthalocyanines isbetter separated from that of blood components, especially hemoglobin,which has an absorption maximum at 578 nm.

As reported herein, photocatalyzed reactions with hydrophobic dyesresults in inactivation of extracellular enveloped viruses such as VSVand HIV, while extracellular encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC), anon-enveloped virus, was not inactivated. In addition, AlPcS₂ andAlPcS₄, which bind to the more hydrophilic regions of the cell, weremore effective virucidal agents than AlPc at a similar concentration. Itis important to note that both cell-free and cell-associated viruseswere inactivated under the conditions examined, and that red cellintegrity was maintained, as judged by the absence of hemoglobin release(<2%) on treatment, or following storage. In fact, treatment of a redcell suspension with AlPc and light stabilized the red cell againsthypotonic shock. Further evidence of the integrity of AlPcS₄ -treatedred blood cells comes from the measurement of their circulatoryhalf-life. Treated baboon red blood cells had a half-life of 13.4 dayswhile untreated baboon red blood cells had a half-life of 13.9 days.

That VSV added to an entire red blood cell concentrate unit wasinactivated indicates that a procedure based on AlPc addition andexposure to light can be implemented in a blood banking environment.Treatment of collected units in a light cabinet, perhaps for a period aslong as 6 to 24 hours, or for briefer periods if multiple or moreintense light sources are employed, is envisioned.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a light fluence of250 to 1000 J/cm² is applied to a sample 2 to 4 cm thick and agitationis utilized. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, theprocess according to the invention is applied to a sample in a bloodbag.

After treatment with the photoreactive compound, excess photoreactivecompound can be removed by centrifugation, washing and/or dialysis.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the treated cell-containingfraction from the inventive process is transfused or returned to thedonor, e.g., human donor, from which the initial cell-containingfraction was derived. In this manner, the level of circulating virus inthe donor will be reduced, thus improving the donor's ability to clearvirus and/or improving the efficacy of antiviral drugs.

As noted hereinabove, the invention also extends to an inactivationmethod involving a photoactive compound, light and a quencher, with orwithout an oxidizer.

The inclusion of a quencher during AMT/UVA treatment of a plateletconcentrate in the presence of oxygen resulted in normal plateletfunction, as measured in standard aggregation reaction, and theinactivation of ≧10⁵.5 TCID₅₀ of VSV; without quencher addition, therate and extent of platelet aggregation was reduced. Surprisingly, viruskill was similar in both samples. Similarly, the inclusion of a quencherduring AMT/UVA treatment of blood plasma resulted in the quantitativerecovery of coagulation factor VIII; without quencher addition, therecovery was only 77%. Again, surprisingly, there was no difference inVSV kill. In yet another example, the circulatory half-life of rabbitred blood cells was assessed following treatment with aluminumphthalocyanine tetrasulfonate and visible light. Without adverselyaffecting virus kill, inclusion of a quencher resulted in prolongationof the circulatory survival of treated red blood cells.

The invention will now be described with reference to the followingnon-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Materials and Methods Blood

Whole blood was typically less than 48 hours old when used. Prior touse, it was stored at 4° C. Red blood cell concentrates (RBCC) wereprepared from whole blood by centrifugation for 20 minutes at 2000r.p.m. with removal of most of the plasma layer. Where indicated, wholeblood was diluted 5-fold or the red blood cell concentrates were diluted2-fold with phosphate buffered saline (PBS; Gibco Laboratories, GrandIsland, N.Y.).

Aluminum Phthalocyanine Solutions

Aluminum phthalocyanine chloride (AlPc) was purchased from KodakLaboratory Chemicals, Rochester, N.Y. Stock solutions of AlPc (0.01M)were prepared in spectrophotometric grade N,N-dimethylformamide(Aldrich, Milwaukee, Wis.). Aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate(AlPcS₄) and aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate (AlPcS₂) were purchasedfrom Porphyrin Products Inc., Logan, Utah. Stock solutions of AlPcS₂ andAlPcS₄ (6.2×10⁻⁴ M) were prepared in PBS. The concentration of allphthalocyanine solutions was determined spectrophotometrically usingmolar extinction coefficient of 2×10⁵ 1 mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at the absorptionmaximum at 670 nm for AlPc, 674 nm for AlPcS₂ and 675 nm for AlPcS₄.

Psoralen Solutions

4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT) was purchased from HRIAssoc. Inc., Concord, CA. Stock solutions of AMT (4 mg/ml) were preparedin distilled water.

Model Virus Studies

The inactivation of the following viruses was studied: vesicularstomatitis virus (VSV), a lipid enveloped, RNA virus;encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC), a protein enveloped, RNA virus; andhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a human, pathogenic retrovirus.

VSV was cultured in human A549 cells. EMC stocks were prepared in mouseL929 or human A459 cells. Culturing and assay procedures were similar tothose described in Horowitz, B., Wiebe, M. E., Lippin, A. and Stryker,M. H., "Inactivation of Viruses in Labile Blood Derivatives",Transfusion, 1985;25:516-522. Infectivity of VSV and EMC was assessed byendpoint, 10-fold serial dilutions in DMEM culture medium (GibcoLaboratories, Grand Island, N.Y.) with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS; MABioproducts, Walkersville, Md.). Each dilution was used to inoculateeight replicate wells of human A549 cells in 96-well microtiter plates.Virus-induced cytopathology was scored after 72 hours of incubation at37° C. in 5% CO₂. The reported virus titer was calculated using theSpearman-Karber method (Spearman, C., "The Method of Right and WrongCases' (`Constant Stimuli`) Without Gauss's Formula", Br. J. Psychol.,1908;2:227-242) and indicates the quantity of virus which infects 50% ofthe tissue culture wells (TCID₅₀).

Cell-associated VSV was prepared by incubating a confluent monolayer ofhuman A549 cells with 5 ml of 10⁷ ID₅₀ /ml VSV in serum-free DMEM for 1hour at 37° C. under 5% CO₂ in 150 cm² tissue culture flasks. Themultiplicity of infection under these conditions was approximately 2.1TCID₅₀ /cell. After decanting off the liquid, the attached cells werewashed three times to remove free virus with 50 ml PBS per wash.Afterwards, 40 ml of DMEM containing 5% FCS were added, and the cellswere incubated for an additional 43/4 hours. The attached cells werewashed three times with PBS and released by treatment for 10 minuteswith a normal saline solution containing 0.01% trypsin (CooperBiomedical, Freehold, N.J.; two times crystallized) and 5 μg/ml EDTA.The released cells were collected by centrifugation, washed three timeswith PBS and resuspended in PBS.

To assess inactivation, cell-free virus was added to the blood componentbeing studied at a 1:10 dilution, and 3 ml aliquots of this mixture weredistributed in polystyrene tubes (Fisher Scientific, Springfield, N.J.;Cat. #2027; 7 ml capacity) followed by the addition of thephthalocyanine derivative. The samples were mixed continuously using ahematology mixer (Fisher Scientific, Cat. #14-060-1) and photoirradiatedwith light from a Solar Simulator (Oriel Corp., Stratford, Conn.) fittedwith a Zenith 300 watt Xe short arc lamp equipped with an amber, 570 nmlong-pass filter (Oriel Corp.). The light power at the sample was about25-26 mWatts/cm² as measured with a photometer (Model No. IL1350International Light, Newburyport, Mass.) with a detector (Model No.SED038) fitted with a wide band pass filter (F#8174) and a (diffuser(W#4425). As compared with the data presented below, the filtrationthrough a 676 nm interference filter (the Optometrics Corp., Catalog No.02-6765, Ayer, Mass.) placed on the detector permitted the transmissionof 1.3% of the light power. Irradiation times were typically 30, 60 and120 minutes corresponding to fluences of 44, 88 and 176 J/cm²respectively. A constant flow of air was provided by a fan, and thetemperature of the sample did not rise above 28° C. during irradiation.

Virus inactivation of an entire red blood cell concentrate (RBCC) unitwas carried out in a 600 ml capacity #5J359 bag (Fenwall Division,Deerfield, Ill.). A Thermolyne Speci-mix mixer model M26125 (SybronCorp., Iowa) was used to mix the sample in the bag duringphotoirradiation.

For assessment of virus inactivation, the reaction was stopped by10-fold dilution into DMEM containing 5% fetal calf serum, and the redblood cells were removed by centrifugation at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes.The lack of virus inactivation at this dilution or in the absence oflight was confirmed for each of the inactivation conditions studied.Samples were sterile filtered (Swinnex filters, Millipore Corp.,Bedford, Mass.) and frozen at -70° C. or below until assay.

The procedures for the assessment of the inactivation of cell-associatedVSV were similar to those of cell-free VSV, except all experiments withcell-associated VSV were carried out under totally controlled asepticconditions. At the conclusion of the experiment, the infected A549 cellswere isolated with the addition of Ficoll-Paque (Pharmacia FineChemicals, Piscataway, N.J.) and centrifuged in a swinging bucket rotorat 1800 xg for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. The layer containingthe A549 cells was collected, washed three times with PBS bycentrifugation, resuspended in 1 ml PBS and immediately assayed for VSVinfectivity by endpoint, 10-fold serial dilutions as with cell-freevirus.

Assessment of HIV Inactivation

The HTLV III_(b) strain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was usedin these experiments. Measurement of infectivity was similar to thatreported previously (Prince, A. M., Pascual, D., Kosolapov, L. B., etal, "Prevalence, Clinical Significance, and Strain Specificity ofNeutralizing Antibody to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus", The Journalof Infectious Diseases, 1987;156:268-272). Ten thousand-foldconcentrates of cell-free HIV, prepared by continuous flow sucrosebanding, were purchased from Bionetics, Inc. (Rockville, Md.).Titrations were carried out with serial, ten-fold dilutions inmicrotiter plates using RPMI 1640 containing 10% FCS, with either CEM orH9 cells at a concentration of 8×10⁵ /mL. Before use, cells wereconditioned by incubation for 1 hour at 37° C. in the above mediumcontaining 2 μg/mL of polybrene. Virus in treated samples was adsorbedto cells for 2 hours at 37° C. in the dark. Cultures were then washedtwice in medium by centrifuging plates for 10 minutes at 2000 rpm andaspirating the supernatants in order to remove the treating compound andreduce toxicity. 150 μl cultures were then fed with 25 μl of medium at4, 7 and 10 days. At 14 days, cultures were washed twice with PBS(phosphate buffered saline) to remove viral antigens carried over fromthe inoculum, and the cells were lysed in PBS containing 0.5% TritonX-100. Lysates were assayed for HIV p55 antigens by ELISA using platescoated with rabbit antiserum against recombinant p55 (Syntex Corp., PaloAlto, Calif.) and peroxidase labeled rabbit anti-p55. This assay hadessentially the same sensitivity in measurement of p24 as the Dupont p24antigen assay.

To increase the sensitivity for measurement of small quantities ofresidual virus, 0.5-1.0 ml of undiluted virus-containing fluids treatedwith AlPc were also inoculated into 5 ml macro-cultures, and were fed byremoving half volumes and replacing with fresh medium twice weekly for 4weeks.

For cell-associated HIV, 25 ml culture of 8×10⁵ /mL CEM of H9 cells wereinoculated with 10⁴ TCID₅₀ of HIV. Cultures were fed by removal of halfvolumes and replacement with fresh medium twice weekly. At each feeding,supernatant fluids were assayed for p55 antigens by ELISA. When thetiter reached 1:64 or greater, usually at 10-12 days, the infected cellswere used in the following experiments. Prior to use in experiments,aliquots of 10⁶ infected cells were pelleted and resuspended in 100 μLof HIV immune globulin (Prince, A. M., Horowitz, B., Baker, L. et al,"Failure of an HIV Immune Globulin To Protect Chimpanzees AgainstExperimental Challenge With HIV", PNAS, 1988;85:6944-6948), incubatedfor 1 hour at 37° C., and washed three times in culture medium in orderto reduce the amount of non-cell associated virus. Infected cells werethen suspended in medium, or whole blood anticoagulated with CPD(citrate phosphate dextrose), to a concentration of 10⁶ /mL. Thesemixtures were exposed to varying concentrations of AlPc with or withoutexposure to light. After treatment, samples were diluted 1:2 withRPMI-1640 and centrifuged through Ficoll-Hypaque to separate lymphocytesfrom erythrocytes. The recovered lymphocytes were washed three times,counted, and serially diluted in 100 μl of medium. Uninfected CEM cellswere then added and the cultures processed as for the infectivitytitration described above.

Red Cell Measurements

Total hemoglobin was quantitated using Drabkin's reagent (SigmaProcedure No. 525, Sigma Diagnostics, St. Louis, Mo.). Plasma hemoglobinwas assessed, after removal of cells by centrifugation, by measuring theoptical density of the plasma at A540 and assuming an absorbance of 0.86for a 1 mg/ml solution (Antonini, E. and Brunori, M., "Hemoglobin andMyoglobin in Their Reactions with Ligands", Amsterdam: North-HollandPublishing Co., 1971. (Neuberger A., Tatum E. L., eds., Frontiers ofBiology; Vol. 21)). Prior to centrifugation, red cell concentrates werediluted 1:1 with PBS. The results were expressed as a percentage of thetotal hemoglobin present. Osmotic fragility of treated red blood cellswas measured as previously described in Dacie, J. V., Lord, M. B.,Vaughan, J. M. and Oxon, D. M., "The Fragility of Red Blood Cells, ItsMeasurements and Significance", J. Path Bact., 1938, 46:341-356. pHmeasurements were made with a PHM 82 pH meter (Radiometer America Inc.,Cleveland, Ohio). The circulatory half-life of autologous rabbit redblood cells was determined by washing the treated red blood cells toremove plasma proteins and labeling the cells with ⁵¹ Cr.

EXAMPLE 1: Inactivation of VSV and EMC By AlPc

The inactivation of cell-free VSV added to whole blood (5×10⁹ red bloodcells/ml) or a red cell concentrate (1×10¹⁰ red blood cells/ml) in thepresence of AlPc was dependent on its concentration and the fluence(dosage) of light (FIG. 1). Cell-free VSV and AlPc at the indicatedconcentration were added to whole blood (FIG. 1a), a red blood cellconcentrate (FIG. 1b), whole blood diluted 5-fold with PBS (FIG. 1c) anda red blood cell concentrate diluted 2-fold with PBS (FIG. 1d). Theplasma protein concentration in whole blood and the red cell concentratewas 60 mg/mL prior to the dilution indicated. Samples (3 mL) wereexposed to a constant intensity of light (25-26 mWatts/cm²) for avarying duration such that the total light fluence was 44 J/cm² (closedcircles), 88 J/cm² (open circles), or 176 J/cm² (open triangles).Following exposure to light, virus infectivity was assessed as describedherein.

Complete inactivation of VSV (≧10⁴.0 to 10⁴.5 TCID₅₀) added to wholeblood was observed at an AlPc concentration of 10 μM and a light fluenceof 88 and 176 J/cm², corresponding to a light intensity of 25 mwatts/cm²and exposure times of 60 and 120 minutes, respectively. At a fluence of44 J/cm², complete inactivation of added VSV required an AlPcconcentration of 25 μM (FIG. 1a). The inactivation of VSV added to a redblood cell concentrate (RBC concentration=1×10¹⁰ /ml; FIG. 1b) wassimilar to that observed in whole blood (FIG. 1a). Complete inactivationof VSV added to whole blood first diluted 5-fold (FIG. 1c) or to a redblood cell concentrate first diluted 2-fold (FIG. 1d) with PBS occurredat a lower AlPc concentration for a given light fluence than thatobserved with their undiluted counterparts. VSV inactivation did notoccur in the absence of AlPc or in the dark (data not shown).

Red blood cell integrity, as determined by hemoglobin released duringthe treatment period, was well maintained (lysis<2%) under each of theconditions presented in FIG. 1.

Cell-free EMC, a non-enveloped virus, was not inactivated on treatmentwith AlPc when evaluated under conditions similar to those describedabove (data not shown).

EXAMPLE 2

Intracellular VSV was prepared as described hereinabove. Comparison ofthe concentration of cells harvested following trypsin treatment(2.07×10⁷ /ml) to viral infectious units (1×10⁶ TCID₅₀ /50 μl; 2.0×10⁶TCID₅₀ /ml) suggests that virtually every cell contained infectiousvirus. This intracellular VSV, added to a red blood cell concentrate,was completely inactivated (≧10⁵.6 TCID₅₀) on treatment cf this red cellconcentrate with 10 μM AlPc and 88 J/cm² (Table I). Comparison with theresults reported with cell-free virus (FIG. 1b) indicates thatinactivation of the cell-associated form is more difficult. Red bloodcell structure and function were unaffected.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Inactivation of Intracellular VSV Added                                       to a Red Cell Concentrate with AlPc                                           AlPc Concentration VSV Titer (log.sub.10)                                     (μM)            Dark    Light*   Log.sub.10 Kill                           ______________________________________                                        0                  5.2     5.1      0.0                                       0                  5.0     3.6      1.5                                       2                  5.1     ≦-0.5                                                                           ≧5.6                               5                  5.3     ≦-0.5                                                                           ≧5.6                               10          Av     5.1                                                        ______________________________________                                         *88 J/cm.sup.2                                                           

EXAMPLE 3

The inactivation of cell-free VSV in the presence of the di- andtetra-sulfonated derivatives of AlPc was also examined. Cell-free VSVand AlPcS₂ (FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b) or AlPcS₄ (FIG. 2c and FIG. 2d) at theindicated concentration were added to whole blood (FIG. 2a and FIG. 2c)or a red blood cell concentrate (FIG. 2b and FIG. 2d). Other details areas described above with respect to FIG. 1. Complete inactivation (≧10⁴TCID₅₀) of VSV with the sulfonated derivatives occurred at a lower AlPcconcentration for a given light fluence than that observed with thenon-sulfonated form (FIG. 1 vs. FIG. 2). Complete inactivation of VSVadded to either whole blood diluted 5-fold or a red cell concentratediluted 2-fold with PBS was observed with 2 μM of either sulfonatedderivative and a light fluence of 44 J/cm² (data not shown). With regardto hemoglobin release during the course of treatment, little (≧2%) wasobserved at AlPcS_(x) concentrations up to 25 μM and a light fluence upto 176 J/cm² (Table II).

                  TABLE II                                                        ______________________________________                                        Percent Hemoglobin Released on Treatment of                                   A Red Cell Concentrate with AlPc Derivatives                                  AlPc    Light Fluence                                                                             Percent Hemoglobin Released                               Derivative                                                                            (J/cm.sup.2)                                                                              AlPc conc:                                                                              5 μm                                                                            10 μM                                                                            25 μM                             ______________________________________                                        AlPc     88                   1.1  0.8   1.1                                          176                   1.5  0.9   1.4                                  AlPcS.sub.2                                                                            88                   0.6  0.5   0.3                                          176                   0.6  0.5   0.4                                  AlPcS.sub.4                                                                            88                   0.2  0.5   0.3                                          176                   0.3  0.5   0.3                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4 Inactivation of HIV By AlPc

HIV in either a cell-free or intracellular form was added to eitherwhole blood or a red cell concentrate in a test tube. Treatment ofcell-free HIV used 10 μM AlPc and 176 J/cm² ; treatment of intracellularHIV used 5 μM AlPc and 44 J/cm². At the conclusion of treatment, thesamples were processed as described above and HIV antigen measurementswere made.

Treatment of whole blood or a red cell concentrate with AlPc was shownto inactivate ≧10⁴.2 TCID₅₀ of cell-free and ≧10³.6 TCID₅₀ of aintracellular HIV (Table III). Red blood cell structure and functionswere unaffected.

                  TABLE III                                                       ______________________________________                                        INACTIVATION OF HIV                                                                          Log.sub.10 Inactivation                                                       Cell-Free                                                                             Intracellular                                          ______________________________________                                        Whole Blood      ≧4.2                                                                             ≧3.6                                        Red Cell Concentrate                                                                           ≧4.2                                                                             not done                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5: Red Blood Cell Integrity

Typical results of the percent hemoglobin released from red blood cellsduring the course of treatment with AlPc derivatives are given in TableII. The percent released varied between 0.2 and 1.5% of the totalhemoglobin present.

The erythrocyte osmotic fragility following treatment of whole blood wasmeasured with no prior removal of AlPc (FIG. 3). Whole blood was treatedwith 10 μM AlPcCl and a light fluence of 44 J/cm² (open circles), 88J/cm² (open triangles) and 176 J/cm² (open squares). Following treatmentand with no subsequent processing, the erythrocyte osmotic fragility wasdetermined in these samples and in the untreated control (closedcircles) by dilution into solutions of saline at the indicatedconcentration. Following incubation for 30 minutes and centrifugation,released hemoglobin was measured with Drabkin's solution and comparedwith that released on dilution into distilled water.

As compared with the untreated control, treatment with 10 μM AlPc atlight fluences of 44, 88 and 176 J/cm² increased the resistance of thered cells to osmotic shock.

EXAMPLE 6

To evaluate the storage stability of treated red cells, 3 ml of wholeblood were treated with 10 μM AlPc and a light fluence of 176 J/cm², asin Example 1. Following a storage period of 17 days, released hemoglobinwas 1.8% of the total and the pH of the sample was 6.9, indicative ofexcellent storage compatibility.

EXAMPLE 7

A study of VSV inactivation in an intact red cell concentrate unit wasconducted. A red cell concentrate contained in a Fenwal 5J359 blood bagwas illuminated from one side only. The inactivation of all detectablecell-free VSV (≧10⁴.5 TCID₅₀) was achieved with 10.5 μM AlPc and a lightfluence of 264 J/cm² corresponding to a treatment duration of 3 hours(Table IV). A 10-fold more sensitive macroculture assay did not show thepresence of VSV (kill≧10⁵.5 TCID₅₀) at 352 and 396 J/cm². Less than 2%lysis was observed even at 396 J/cm².

                  TABLE IV                                                        ______________________________________                                        Inactivation of Cell-Free VSV Added to An                                     Individual Red Cell Concentrate Unit                                          AlPc Concentration                                                                           Light Fluence                                                                             VSV Titer                                          (μM)        (J/cm.sup.2)                                                                              (log.sub.10 TCID.sub.50)                           ______________________________________                                        0               0          4.0                                                10.5            88         2.8                                                10.5           176         1.3                                                10.5           264         ≦-0.5                                       10.5           352         ≦-0.5                                       10.5           396         ≦-0.5                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

An assessment of the effect of phthalocyanine treatment on plateletfunction was conducted. Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) in dimethylformamidewas added to a platelet concentrate containing 5.36×10⁹ platelets/mL anda plasma protein concentration of 60 mg/mL. The final concentration ofZnPc was 20 μM. At the indicated times, platelet count was determined,platelet morphology was assessed by measurement of mean volumes, and theability of platelets to aggregate on addition of adenosine diphosphate(ADP) was assessed (Table V). Through the total treatment time, plateletcount was maintained to the extent of 86-91%. The mean volume of theplatelets was unaffected.

Aggregation in response to ADP, expressed either in terms of the initialrate of aggregation or the extent of aggregation was unchanged ascompared with the DMF only control for 10 minute light exposure, thoughsomewhat decreased for 15 and 30 minute light exposures.

                  TABLE V                                                         ______________________________________                                        Effect of Zinc Phthalocyanine on Platelets                                                          Aggregation                                                                   Response                                                              Plate-   Mean     Ini-                                                        let      Plate-   tial                                                        Count    let      Rate Maximum                                                (×10.sup.-9 /                                                                    Volume   (A/  Extent                                   Sample        mL)      (micron.sup.3)                                                                         min) (A)                                      ______________________________________                                        Controls                                                                      No light, no ZnPc                                                                           5.36     6.1      38   45                                       Solvent (DMF) only                                                                          5.65     6.4      34   26                                       Test                                                                          ZnPC + 10 minute light                                                                      4.74     6.3      35   28                                       ZnPC + 15 minute light                                                                      4.87     6.1      25   22                                       ZnPC + 30 minute light                                                                      4.63     5.8      25   20                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9 The effect of red cell concentration on AlPcS₄ -Induced Lvsis

Human red blood cells were washed twice with phosphate buffered salineto remove plasma and then diluted to the indicated concentration.Aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (10 μM) was added to each and thesamples irradiated as described above with 88 J/cm². Followingirradiation, the degree of lysis was determined by the amount ofhemoglobin released. As shown in Table VI, 100% lysis was observed witha red cell concentration of 4.5×10⁸ cells/ml, but improved suddenly whenthe cell concentration was raised to 2.25×10⁹ cells/ml or higher.

                  TABLE VI                                                        ______________________________________                                        Percent Hemolysis As a Function of Red Cell Concentration                     Red Cell Conc   Percent                                                       (cells/ml)      Hemolysis                                                     ______________________________________                                          9 × 10.sup.9                                                                          2.9                                                           4.5 × 10.sup.9                                                                          2.9                                                           2.25 × 10.sup.9                                                                         2.7                                                           4.5 × 10.sup.8                                                                          100                                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10 Comparison Of Virus Kill Of Aluminum Phthalocyanine WithHematoporohyrin Derivative

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was added to whole blood followed byeither hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), a dye with an absorptionmaximum below 630 nm, or aluminum phthalocyanine sulfonate. Each wasexposed to light as above. The results (Table VII below) indicate thatvirus kill is both faster and more complete with AlPcS₄ than with HPD.

                  TABLE VII                                                       ______________________________________                                                Conc       VSV Kill (log.sub.10)                                      Compound  (μM)      30 min  120 min                                        ______________________________________                                        HPD*      18           1.3     1.4                                                      36           1.4     2.4                                                      54           1.7     4.0                                            AlPcS.sub.4                                                                              5           ≧4.0                                                                           ≧4.0                                    ______________________________________                                         *Assumed MW of 1106                                                      

EXAMPLE 11

Circulatory half-life of autologous, rabbit red blood cells treated withaluminum phthalocyanine derivatives in the presence of quenching agents.

A rabbit red blood cell concentrate (RBCC) containing 1×10¹⁰ RBC/mlsuspended in plasma was mixed with aluminum phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate (AlPcS₄) and, where indicated, a quenching agent added.The mixture was then exposed to 25 mW/cm² of visible light for 30minutes, after which the treated RBCC was washed by centrifugation,labeled with ⁵¹ Cr, and administered intravenously into the rabbit oforigin. The results indicate that RBC treated in the presence of theadded quenching agent had near normal circulatory in vivo survivalwhereas the RBC treated without the added quenching agent had ashortened in vivo circulatory survival (Table VIII).

The aluminum phthalocyanine derivative and quenching agent were added toa separate RBCC sample containing vesicular stomatitis virus and exposedto similar irradiation conditions. The inactivation of virus wasunaffected by the addition of quencher (Table VIII).

                  TABLE VIII                                                      ______________________________________                                        In vivo circulatory survival of                                               rabbit red blood cells after treatment with AlPcS4                                                    Half-life Log.sub.10 VSV                              Dye        Quencher     (days)    Kill                                        ______________________________________                                        10 μM AlPcS4                                                                          4 mM glutathione                                                                           12.5      0                                           (Dark Control)                                                                10 μM AlPcS4                                                                          NONE         3.75      ≧5.5                                 10 μM AlPcS4                                                                          1 mM mannitol                                                                              6         ≧5.5                                 10 μM AlPcS4                                                                          1 mM tryptophan                                                                            8         ≧5.5                                 10 μM AlPcS4                                                                          1 mM glutathione                                                                           10.5      ≧5.5                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12 Aggregation response of platelets treated with a psoralenderivative in the presence of absence of added quenching agent

The virucidal and functional effects on platelet concentrates wereassessed after the addition of 25 μg/ml of4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT) with and without thepresence of the quenching agent, reduced glutathione (GSH). The sampleswere irradiated with 6.5 mW/cm² of UVA light for 20-30 min. in thepresence of oxygen. Platelet aggregation extent and rate in response tocollagen, measured 24 hours after treatment, improved in the presence ofGSH (Table IX). This was especially evident with 30 min. UVA exposure,conditions needed to achieve complete virus kill.

                  TABLE IX                                                        ______________________________________                                        The effect of the addition of GSH on the                                      extent/rate of aggregation in platelets after UVA treatment                   with AMT.                                                                                    Platelet                                                                      Aggregation                                                    AMT             Exposure       (% control)                                                                           Log.sub.10 VSV                         μg/ml                                                                             GSH      Time     Extent                                                                              Rate    Kill                                   ______________________________________                                        25     0        20 min   98    75      4.1                                    25     1 mM     20 min   100   84      4.5                                    25     0        30 min   88    63      ≧5.5                            25     1 mM     30 min   98    90      ≧5.1                            ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 13 Improved process recovery of coagulation factors on treatmentof plasma with AMT and UVA with addition of quenchers

Human plasma was treated with 25 μg/ml of AMT and exposed to 6.5 mW/cm²of UVA light for 20 minutes. Virus kill measurement and process recoveryof coagulation factors were compared after treatment with and withoutthe addition of glutathione. In the absence of reduced glutathione(GSH), or in the presence of 1 mM and 4 mM GSH, the extent of virus killwas 5.1, 5.3 and 5.3 log₁₀, respectively. While AHF recovery in theabsence of GSH was only 77%, recovery increased to essentially 100% inthe presence of 4 mM GSH.

                  TABLE X                                                         ______________________________________                                        Process recovery of coagulation factor                                        VIII following treatment of human plasma with AMT and                         quenching agent.                                                                           GSH Concentration                                                             NONE     1 mM    4 mM                                            ______________________________________                                        Virus Kill (TCID.sub.50)                                                                     5.1        5.3     5.3                                         Factor VIII Recovery                                                          Untreated (u/ml)                                                                             1.24       --      --                                          Treated (u/ml) 0.95       1.16    1.26                                        % Recovery     77%        94%     102%                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 14 The enhancement in the recovery of plasma coagulation factorstreated to inactivate viruses with AMT; reduction of oxygen contentversus use of quenchers

Human plasma was treated with 25 μg/ml AMT under normal atmosphericconditions in the presence and absence of 1 mM glutathione added as aquencher, versus treatment under reduced oxygen concentration throughexchange with nitrogen gas. Normally aerated samples were irradiatedwith UVA light for 20 minutes while deoxygenated samples had to beirradiated for 120 minutes to provide approximately the same virus kill.The data indicate that, as compared to treatment of normally aeratedplasma in the absence of quencher, (1) the addition of 1 mM glutathioneenhances AHF recovery without compromising virus kill, (2) a high levelof virus kill and a high recovery of coagulation factor recovery can beachieved by reducing oxygen content, provided the treatment period isextended, and (3) the use of quencher obviates the need to perform a gasexchange and reduces the duration of treatment required for a high levelof virus kill.

                  TABLE XI                                                        ______________________________________                                        The recovery of coagulation factor VIII                                       in plasma on treatment with AMT; effect of quencher addition                  versus deoxygenation.                                                                               UVA      VSV   AHF                                                   AMT      Duration Kill  Recovery                                 Treatment Conditions                                                                       (μg/ml)                                                                             (min)    (log.sub.10)                                                                        (%)                                      ______________________________________                                        Normally aerated                                                                           25       20       5.1   77                                       Normally aerated +                                                                         25       20       5.3   94                                       1 mM GSH                                                                      Deaerated    25       120      ≧6.1                                                                         91                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15 Improved Virus Kill in Platelets Treated with a PsoralenDerivative: Effect of Quencher Addition Versus Deoxygenation

A standard blood bank platelet concentrate was treated with 25 μg/ml ofAMT and exposure to UVA (6.5 mW/CM²). Prior to treatment, whereindicated, oxygen in the normally aerated platelets was exchanged fornitrogen by displacing the gas above the solution using nitrogen,equilibrating for 1 minute, and repeating the process three times.Alternately, 1 mM of the quencher glutathione was added prior totreatment. The rate of inactivation of vesicular stomatitis virus, addedto the sample and serving as a viral marker, was assessed throughout theduration of UVA exposure. The aggregation response of the platelets wasassessed 24 hours following treatment in the presence of collagen. Theresults indicate that virus kill occurred more quickly in the normallyaerated sample containing quencher than in the deaerated sample (TableXII). Excellent platelet functional recovery was achieved in each casewhen measured at 24 hours. Thus the use of quencher avoids the tediousand potentially time consuming step of gas exchange without sacrifice ofvirus kill or platelet functionality.

                  TABLE XII                                                       ______________________________________                                                     VSV Titer (log.sub.10)                                           Duration of UVA                                                                              O.sub.2 +                                                      (Minutes)      1 mM Glutathione                                                                           Deaerated                                         ______________________________________                                        Start            5.0        5.0                                               10               3.1        --                                                20               1.4        --                                                30             ≦-0.5 --                                                60             ≦-0.5 2.4                                               90             ≦-0.5 1.4                                               120            ≦-0.4 ≦-0.5                                      ______________________________________                                    

It will be appreciated that the instant specification is set forth byway of illustration and not limitation, and that various modificationsand changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for treating a blood cell-containingcomposition in vitro in order to inactivate any extracellular lipidenveloped human pathogenic virus and intracellular human pathogenicvirus contained therein without incurring substantial disruption orinactivation of the blood cells, said method comprising contacting theblood cell-containing composition having ≧1×10⁹ cells/ml in vitro with avirucidally effective amount of at least one phthalocyanine compoundhaving an absorption maximum of ≧630 nm, with light, and with a quencherthat reacts with free radicals or reactive forms of oxygen, tosubstantially inactivate said virus if present therein and to effect avirus inactivation of at least 10⁴ and to result in a retention ofintact blood cell functionality and structure of greater than 80%. 2.The process according to claim 1, wherein the light is visible light ofa wave length of 630 nm-700 nm.
 3. The process according to claim 1,wherein the blood cell-containing composition is whole blood or a redblood cell concentrate.
 4. The process according to claim 1, wherein thequencher is selected from the group consisting of mannitol, tryptophanand glutathione.